Rob Schnabel

Watershed Restoration Scientist @Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Annapolis, MD, US

I’ve been involved in numerous initiatives during my tenure. Highlights include:Technical Assistance to Farmers∎ Meet with producers to understand farming goals, provide assistance on conservation practice funding opportunities, and technical assistance on implementing regenerative agriculture practicesInfluence Policy∎ Lobbied, and pulled together farmer panels for testimony, for conservation practices within the MD Agricultural Cost Share (MACS) program, resulting in funding for 10 new regenerative practices including agroforestry practices, silvopasture and grazing systems∎ Lobbied for Living Shoreline law showcasing St. John\'s CollegeBuild Collaborative Networks∎ Helped form the MD Grazers Network to increase profit in grazing systems, regenerate soils, and improve water qualitySoil Conservation Outreach∎ Coordinate with Soil Conservation Districts, State Foresters, and nonprofits; lead agriculture restoration eventsLiving Shoreline Project∎ Designed, permitted, and managed the St. John’s College Living Shoreline project, engaging volunteers to remove bulkhead and restore shoreline with tidal wetlands and upland bufferFederal and State Workgroups∎ Participate in workgroups including the Bay Program Forestry Workgroup, NRCS State Tech Committee, CREP Team, and DNR Stream Relief TeamMarketing Regenerative Agriculture∎ Helped create annual The Consumer’s Guide to Pasture-Based Meats and Dairy to increase consumer demand for local, grass-based productsRegenerative Ag on State-Owned Farmland∎ Lead efforts to implement regenerative practices on DNR-owned leased farmland∎ Hosted a regenerative agriculture farm tour, resulting in new requirements for State farmland leasing and 2 pilot leasing agreements with regenerative farmersDiversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ)∎ Meet with BIPOC farmers to understand limiting factors; propose legislation to increase UMD Extension staff assisting Urban Farmers from one to three; Bill passed in 2021

Hood College

Bachelor of Arts - BA